THE consumer spending slowdown has sent sales into reverse at Dixons, Britain's biggest electrical goods retailer, and chief executive John Clare says trading conditions will remain 'very challenging' in the year ahead.

THEY wield enormous power in industry, they make spectacular profits and they employ nearly a fifth of private sector workers. The names of venture capitalists such as Charterhouse, CVC and Permira litter the financial pages - and never more so than when they pay themselves hefty dividends.